Northampton,Massachusetts,(US), April 17 2009: Urgent appeals are being made today to the Government of India to stop the violence against indigenous peoples at Loktak Lake in Manipur, and to provide immediate humanitarian assistance for the 2,000 refugees created by the Indian Army's "Operation Summer Storm".

The US-based human rights group, Land is Life, today appealed to the Indian Government to stop "Operation Summer Storm" immediately.

According to Land is Life Director Brian Keane, "The indigenous peoples of northeast India deserve better.

We call on the security forces to immediately stop the official violence and violation of human rights of the indigenous women, men and children in Manipur".

"Operation Summer Storm" is a military action that was undertaken by the Indian government with the idea of flushing out the guerillas at Loktak Lake.

But the violent impact is being felt by innocent Meitei men, women and children who live in the area.

Land is Life condemns, in the strongest possible terms, the reported use of citizens as human shields in this Army operation.

Makeshift refugee camps have been set up at Ithai Community, Tera Khunaou, Arong Nongmaikhong, and Khordak.

The camps are being supported by the local clubs and Meira Paibees, because no relief has come from either the Army or the district administration.

Apunba Lup and other civil society organizations have quickly mobilized and are raising money to buy food, medical care and shelter for the refugees.

"We call on the Government of India to abide by international human rights laws and the UN Declaration on the Right of Indigenous Peoples to protect the health, safety and dignity of the peaceful Meitei people at Loktak Lake and throughout Manipur," said Keane.

Land is Life is an indigenous-led grassroots organization that is active in the international struggle to promote and protect the rights of indigenous peoples.